Foundation

Valdemar: Collegium Chronicles, Book 1

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited brand new novel in the best-selling Valdemar series.

In this chronicle of the early history of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey's best-selling world, a 13-year-old orphan named Magpie escapes a life of slavery in the gem mines when he is chosen by one of the magical Companion horses of Valdemar to be trained as a Herald. Thrust into the center of a legend in the making, Magpie discovers talents he never knew he had - and witnesses the founding of the great Heralds' Collegium.

©2008 Mercedes Lackey (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Set Up for a Great Series for All Ages

Misty has done it again. Another stellar series set in Valdemar, and filling in the gaps after the Last Herald Mage series. Loved the subtle clues and tie-ins to other series. Mags is a great character and this is an excellent beginning to watching a strong Herald trainee and his charming Companion learn and begin to develop all their wits and skills. The performance bears a nod as well, with clear well-defined characterizations and vocal nuances. Is it a coming of age story? Yes. Are the characters children/teens learning in a school? Yes, partially. The forced maturation of becoming a Herald only allows for a very short period of youthful hijinks. The lessons in ethics, religion, and politics are well hidden, but present. Could you hand this series to a teen? Absolutely! Please do. But I'm 61 and not sorry at all to have started this series, so labeling it as only a kiddie book is to belittle a great storyline.

great for kids

i think this book must have been designed for a "young adult" audience; i was a little disappointed that the themes and plot weren't a bit more mature. it's a fun story about group of kids in a magical school environment trying to solve a mystery; NOT an "epic" fantasy novel (as audible identifies its genre).

Great Book

Loved it. I am reading this series again for the umpteenth time. it's still just as good as the first.

Character voices good, Narration bland

I really enjoy Ms. Lackey’s writing so I already knew the story. Mr. Podehl’s character voices were very good, but I found the reading between dialog lines bland. Those words can be read expressively also, even if they don’t require a character voice.

great

I heard the first chapter of the second book and had to listen to the series. Loved the first book

Leaves me wanting the next book

Good narrator .Easy enough to recognize one character from another.
I recommend the book, especially for anyone who likes the Valdemar books. Right now I’m just trying to hit the 15 word minimum so I can be done with this review. I want to go find the next download it.

Great tale, mediocre narrator

I enjoyed the story a great deal. However, the narrator was a bit flat, and could have been much better. He didn't destroy the story, but had little inflection and kept me from getting more involved in the story.

easy listen

i enjoyed the voices actor's performance. this was a simple and fun book. an easy listen while i did chores around the house.

An orphan and his new Companion find each other

Would you listen to Foundation again? Why?

yes. I like the story and the narration is nicely done with no bothersome quirks.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Foundation?

There are several but the moment Mags finds Dalen, the moment he meets Lena and then Bear, All are written well and not overdone.

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. This narrator did a nice job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The sequence of word images moving Mags forward toward finding his place within the Collegium and within himself are too many to just isolate one. The best is probably comes with the Winter celebration.

Any additional comments?

Good book which I would think most people would enjoy. No sex, and limited violence. The supernatural nature of the Companions is not so overt as to offend.

Valdemar in a new set of eyes

Nick Podehl brings Mags and his world alive for readers. Mercedes Lackey has begun a new Valdemar story where fans new and old learn more about the population of the Kingdom of Valdemar from the point of view of a young slave turned Chosen of the Companion Dallen. Mags is thrust into the bare beginnings of the three Collegia that is explored in other books of the series. We see the workings and the conflict involved as the transition between Herald Mentor to Heralds Collegium occurs.